Things to do in Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is a city that is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Its prominence reached the zenith back in the fourth century BC when the great King Pandukabhaya made this his capital. The glorious spaces of Anuradhapura were lavishly adorned with the grandiosity of tall buildings, statues and dome shaped shrines.

Most of these impressive constructions stand to this day, having braved the winds of many a century. They proclaim to one generation after the next the remarkable finesse that marked the handiwork of the country’s craftsmen. In the city of Anuradhapura, things to do are many; you can visit places like Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanweliseya, Isurumuniya and Abhayagiri Vihara during a tour.

Agriculture was the chief occupation in Sri Lanka in the past just like it is now for many in rural areas. The tanks that the kings built to help the farmers thrive in the harsh conditions of the dry zone can still be seen today. Together the kings of Anuradhapura were able to create one of the most complex systems of irrigation of the world at its time.

One of the most remarkable events that occurred during the Anuradhapura Kingdom was the introduction of Buddhism to the island. According to the epic poem Mahavamsa, Thera Mahinda, the son of the Emperor Ashoka of India, visited Sri Lanka on the full moon day the month of June; here he met King Devanampiyatissa who reigned in the island at that time. This fateful encounter resulted in the king and subsequently the country, embracing the peaceful teachings of Lord Buddha.